DNP Anesthesia - Am I Ready?

Step 1 - Check the minimum program admission requirements (these are the applicant's responsibility):

• Provide proof for fulfillment of the legal requirements to practice professional nursing (Registered Nurse) in Iowa or another state. International applicants must obtain an Iowa Registered Nurse license prior to program enrollment .
• Possess a Bachelor's degree with a major in nursing (BSN or BAN) from a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). If the applicant has an Associate degree in Nursing and a baccalaureate degree in another field, they need to complete an undergraduate community health and research course prior to application.
• Attain an undergraduate grade-point average of at least 3.00 on a 4.0 scale which demonstrates ability to do graduate work.
• The GRE is not required for application.

Step 2 - Prerequisite Courses

• Demonstrate ability in all anesthesia nursing science and mathematics courses completed at the junior college or university level indicating: any repeated courses, calculation of science/math grade-point average.
• Satisfactorily complete all College of Nursing course prerequisites at the junior college or university level indicating: any repeated courses, calculation of nursing grade-point average, semester credits.
• Download the Prerequisite Course Criteria.

Step 3 - Nursing Experience

• At least one year of recent full-time critical care nursing experience (post-ADN or post-BSN) as an RN prior to the June 1 deadline.
• Acceptable critical care nursing experience as a RN post-degree includes:
  • Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
  • Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU)
  • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
  • Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
  • Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU)
  • Cardiac Care Unit (CCU)
• Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), OR nursing, or emergency room (ER) nursing are NOT considered acceptable critical care nursing.

Step 4 - Review the Letter from the Director and the Application Checklist.

Step 5 - Complete an admission application to The University of Iowa Graduate College

Step 6 - Send official academic transcripts from all formal institutions attended to the UI Graduate College admissions

Step 7 - Recommendations

You must provide three professional recommendations attesting to applicant's capacity and potential for graduate study, using the College of Nursing DNP Recommendation form.
Recommendations are required from a Physician (with whom you have worked), Employer/Supervisor (within the last three years), and Educational Instructor or Professor.

Step 8 - A typed Statement of Purpose, of no more than 500 words, describing educational and professional objectives and reasons for deciding on a career in nurse anesthesia

Step 9- Submit a current curriculum vitae indicating critical care nursing experience and length, any professional or scholastic honors, listing all colleges attended and degrees obtained Suggested Anesthesia Nursing Resume format

Step 10 - Provide proof of any advanced nursing specialty certifications (i.e. ACLS, PALS, CCRN, TNCC, etc.)

Step 11- Provide official satisfactory scores, minimum of 550, from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) when appropriate for applicants whose native language is not English

Step 12 - Complete and print Anesthesia Nursing Prerequisite Course Form

Step 13- Complete the Anesthesia Nursing Clinical Experience Form

Step 14 - Send the following application materials directly to the UI Anesthesia Nursing Program admissions:

• Statement of Purpose
• Recommendations or letters of reference (please use sealed business-size envelopes for completion of recommendations by your referees to maintain confidentiality)
• CV (curriculum vitae) or resume
• Prerequisite Course form
• Clinical Experience form
• Unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended
• Copy of RN license (Copies of Web verification of RN licensure are not acceptable)
• Copies of nursing certifications
• TOEFL scores, if applicable

Step 15 - Mail all required application materials in a large 9x12 inch envelope with proper postage. Your application must be postmarked by June 1st. Mailing address:

    Anesthesia Nursing Program
    Department of Anesthesia
    The University of Iowa
    C607 General Hospital
    200 Hawkins Drive
    Iowa City, IA 52242-1079